Botswana to implement pilot HIV/TB program, redesign malaria program

Botswana's Health Minister Lesego Motsumi on Monday presented a pilot program to address HIV/tuberculosis coinfection and support health workers who are treating patients with HIV/TB coinfection, Mmegi reports.

Motsumi said the increase in cases of multi-drug resistant and extensively drug-resistant TB in the country could undermine the decline in TB cases over the last five years, adding that increased TB prevention, care and support services are needed for both health workers and patients to slow the spread of the disease. The program will be rolled out in six hospitals and two clinics, Motsumi said. She added that the number of reported TB cases in the country decreased from 470 cases per 100,000 people in 2007 to 623 cases per 100,000 people in 2002.

In addition, Mostumi said the Ministry of Health plans to redesign the country's malaria program and increase malaria control interventions, with the goal of eradicating the disease. She added that the number of unconfirmed malaria cases increased from an average of 3,446 cases in the first five weeks of each year between 2005 and 2008 to 4,933 cases in the same period of 2009 (Gaotlhobogwe, Mmegi, 3/4).